Abstract: In this study, we investigated the effects of different forages and chickens on the transformation of soil active organic carbon and nitrogen and net carbon exchange in paddy fields in south China in winter. The five treatments were as follows: fallow (F), planted with ryegrass (R), planted with Chinese milk vetch (M), planted with ryegrass and presence of chickens (RC), and planted with Chinese milk vetch and presence of chickens (MC). Net carbon emissions increased in the short term under RC and MC, but these systems were carbon sinks (817.38 g/m² under RC and 472.90 g/m² under MC) before the planting of early rice. All treatments were weak methane sinks (3.06-22.88 mg/m²). The amount of fixed carbon was significantly higher in R and M than in F, RC, and MC. Compared with F, the R, RC, M and MC treatments significantly increased the contents of soil active carbon and nitrogen. Although the average contents of soil microbial biomass carbon were lower under RC and MC than under R and M, the average contents of soil soluble carbon were higher. The R, RC, M, and MC treatments increased the contents of soil organic carbon and promoted soil carbon sequestration. The results of this study revealed that integrated forage planting combined with the presence of chickens can not only improve soil active carbon and nitrogen, but also increase carbon sequestration in paddy fields in south China in winter.